Tongue over the bit - help?

[Jade&Syrah]

The other night in the school I was riding my mare and for the first time she put her tongue over the bit and started ''rodeo-ing''. I got off checked her back, nothing wrong with her back, she had her teeth done about 3/4 weeks ago. I had to put a flash on she did it again so I had to put it on tighter and she hasn't done it since.

Is that any other way around stopping it other than a flash? she does suit a flash (shes got the head for one) but i feel mean cranking it up tight. (i'm a softy)

 

[Eriskayowner]

Jazzy doesn't get his tongue over the bit, but I've got him in a comfort snaffle, with a grakle noseband. The grakle stops any part of his jaw being able to open, but it doesn't need to be tight. A flash isn't much good for this really - it just closes the lower jaw.
Ensure that the bit is actually fitting though, and not pinching anywhere before you shut the mouth - there is usually a reason for a horse to try to put her tongue over the bit.

 

[Jade&Syrah]

Thanks Eriskayowner. She has had this bit for the past year and never had a problem with it. I'm thinking about getting a bit with a lozenge in her but i really don't know as I don't have the money to go and buy bits if they'll be no good.

 

[Shysmum]

maybe try a copper cherry roller ? It worked for a friend's horse really well. sm x

 

[touchstone]

The best resolution is to find out why your horse has started putting her tongue over the bit as this seems to be something new. Have you checked your current bit for any wear/sharp edges?

We had a gelding that came to us in a flash, Dr. Bristol and tongue tie as he put his tongue over the bit so badly. After lots of trial and error we found he went happily in a myler MBo4 comfort mouthpiece and never put his tongue over since, no need for a flash and a nice relaxed horse

 

[Pearlsasinger]

The best resolution is to find out why your horse has started putting her tongue over the bit as this seems to be something new. Have you checked your current bit for any wear/sharp edges?

I agree with this.
I do hate to see horses with their mouths clamped shut. I don't think you're a softy for not wanting to do this but a caring, concerned horse owner. Horses who get their tongues over the bits or open their mouths do so for a reason. I would check the bit and the fir of the bridle. I have known horses get their tongues over when the bit is too low in the mouth. It could be that since the dentist visit, his mouth has changed just enough to make this difference, although if you can't find an obvious cause, I would get a different for a second opinion. He could have a sharp bit of tooth which is making him uncomfortable. Whenever a problem arises, I always check first the things that have changed recently.

 

[jinglejoys]

Blue used to do that driving.It never bothered us but Them Wot Does It Proper hated it.We went through bits,tongue surpressers,flash nosebands that got tighter and tighter and when they started clamping her mouth shut with a bandage(?!) I decided we'd had enough and it wasn't worth it so she became a pasture ornement for 10 years.
Then I changed styles,cart and got rid of the bit and she was a differant animal.

Don't have a problem with Malaga either

 

[Jade&Syrah]

Thanks, her bit is clean and no sharp bits, her mouth has no sharp bits on (i felt her mouth when he did her)

I appreciate the help. Going to keep the flash on for a few days to see if it has set her up, then take it off again and see how she goes on the lunge before I get on her without it. It was getting a bit dangerous. She seems happy in herself. I think another factor of it may be that she is getting to fit too quickly, had this problem last year but she never started putting her tongue over the bit. I think I may also lower her work load and put her on the horse walker for a few nights a week instead of hacking.

 

[Eriskayowner]

I'm thinking about getting a bit with a lozenge in her but i really don't know as I don't have the money to go and buy bits if they'll be no good.

What about hiring a range of bits, or asking friends/people on yard if you can borrow some different ones? At least then you won't have to fork out lots for something that might not work!

I would try that something that has a slight port in it - it might be that she's finding it a bit snug in there!

 

[Booboos]

I found the Sprenger Turnado very useful. C was popping his tongue over the bit and back under again, then back over, etc. which was quite a nuissance, but stopped it in the Turnado (which is also BD legal).

 

[Kelpie]

I'd be a bit worried in your situation that using the flash is just masking a problem. You say that she rodeo'd and put her tongue over the bit for the first time the other night .... well, to be fair there i a chance that just getting her tongue over the bit scared her, but IMHO, it's more likely that she was telling you there was a problem somewhere.

Personally, if you've now ruled out bit/ teeth issues, I'd leave the flash off and if she gets her tongue over th bit again, I'd take that as a warning sign that there is something else I need to fix.

(p.s. I'm not necessarily anti use of flash nosebands - if the horse is simply getting their tongue over the bit because of an old habit or if it really scares them when they do it then fair enough - but I do feel they get rather over-used nowadays.....)

 

[Sparkles]

All else fails,there's the gizmo's to put in to stop her doing that with her tongue [spinner/tongue layer...having a brain melt atm, my mind is blank on the names!].

Don't like them much but they do the job.

 

[Jade&Syrah]

She's one of those horses where when she knows she can do it she will, if that makes sense? She started bucking because she could, had all checks possib le and she went through a phase now doesn't do it as much.

Had her back done, teeth done, feet done recently.

It's took her so long to get her used and settled in the bit she is in I don't really want to stress her again with another bit if that makes sense.

I do appreciate all the advice Please keep it coming